DISLOCATED NECK.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1925, Page 4

DISLOCATED NECK.

f’ATIKXT RFCOVI'IRIXO. IXVKIK'AHCIIJy. June 10. lestordav a London cablo announced tlu> unenviable experience of an emi-ii’-'iit Kugiish .surgeon, who was saved by liis own oirons from probable death as a result of a dislocated neck. A still more unusual ease is on record at the Southland Hospital.-Seven weeks iijtii a young man. nineteen years of ago. was admitted to Ihe hospital with a broken neck', lie was partially paralysed, but life was not oxlinot. Ibo doctors spared no effort in saving a life that bung by so feeble a thread. Ilis neck was placed in a specially prefa red splint and to-day he is on the road to complete recovery. The almost fatal accident occurred at a football match at Wymlhnm. A young player attempted to stop the rush id a heavy forward hy bracing his neck muscles and meeting his opponent with head down. The blow struck bim on the side of the head and •os neck snapped. Xinety-niue times out of a hundred death would have been instantaneous, but this time by a miracle the spina! cord was not severed. It was subject to pressure and for twenty minutes or so the unfortunate boy was completely paralysed. A little more, perhaps, just a fraction of an inch, and he would have been dead, but he v.as rushed to the hospital and arrived with a lighting chance of recovery. Tim neck was X-rayed. The pressure mi the vital cord was relieved, and splints were applied. For a time his arms remained paralysed, but to-day lie lias almost recovered. The hospital authorities have taken a great interest in this remarkable ease as the young man has survived what is generally accepted n« a fatal injury.